Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023 (12:24 UTC)  (Read 47715 times)

Offline Jansen

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : Florida : 2022
« Reply #20 on: 06/14/2021 06:55 pm »
If it were solely due to replenishment, no GPS III would need to be launched to this date.
Plus they look kinda bad with Galileo operational with L5 and L1C in every satellite.

There have been a few problematic birds that were retired because of GPS III launches. There are several IIR SVs that are over 20 years old and well past their service lives as well.

There’s been a hole at PRN 11 for a while that should be filled by GPS III soon.

I agree that they need to get L5 and L1C operational, but that’s an OCX issue as well.
« Last Edit: 06/14/2021 06:58 pm by Jansen »

Offline macpacheco

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : Florida : 2022
« Reply #21 on: 06/14/2021 08:44 pm »
If it were solely due to replenishment, no GPS III would need to be launched to this date.
Plus they look kinda bad with Galileo operational with L5 and L1C in every satellite.

There have been a few problematic birds that were retired because of GPS III launches. There are several IIR SVs that are over 20 years old and well past their service lives as well.

There’s been a hole at PRN 11 for a while that should be filled by GPS III soon.

I agree that they need to get L5 and L1C operational, but that’s an OCX issue as well.
PRN numbers aren't fixed, they are cycled. It's perfectly OK for one PRN to be free for months and months.
I'm assuming this launch will use PRN11, before PRN11 is activated for GPS III SV06 another PRN will be retired, and when the next launch (or recomissioning happens) that PRN will be used again.

Edit... It's not just ok, it's normal to always have one PRN unused. There are 32 PRN codes defined but there's a limit of 31 active GPS satellites (it's either an almanac or the ground control system limitation, I can't remember which). I don't ever recall seeing 32 active GPS PRNs.

Edit June 6th, 2022 There now are 32 healthy satellites in the almanac. PRNs 1 through 32 all online simultaneously.
« Last Edit: 06/06/2022 08:06 pm by macpacheco »
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Offline Jansen

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : Florida : 2022
« Reply #22 on: 06/15/2021 02:27 pm »
If it were solely due to replenishment, no GPS III would need to be launched to this date.
Plus they look kinda bad with Galileo operational with L5 and L1C in every satellite.

There have been a few problematic birds that were retired because of GPS III launches. There are several IIR SVs that are over 20 years old and well past their service lives as well.

There’s been a hole at PRN 11 for a while that should be filled by GPS III soon.

I agree that they need to get L5 and L1C operational, but that’s an OCX issue as well.
PRN numbers aren't fixed, they are cycled. It's perfectly OK for one PRN to be free for months and months.
I'm assuming this launch will use PRN11, before PRN11 is activated for GPS III SV06 another PRN will be retired, and when the next launch (or recomissioning happens) that PRN will be used again.

Edit... It's not just ok, it's normal to always have one PRN unused. There are 32 PRN codes defined but there's a limit of 31 active GPS satellites (it's either an almanac or the ground control system limitation, I can't remember which). I don't ever recall seeing 32 active GPS PRNs.

The 31 PRN limit has been known for a while. However, there are changes being made to enable the use of up to 63 PRN with modern receivers.

Part of that required the decommissioning of the Block IIA birds. OCX Block 1 is also critical.

But for now the priority seems to be M-Code and replacing USA-132.

Offline baldusi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : Florida : 2022
« Reply #23 on: 07/01/2021 02:17 am »
If it were solely due to replenishment, no GPS III would need to be launched to this date.
Plus they look kinda bad with Galileo operational with L5 and L1C in every satellite.

There have been a few problematic birds that were retired because of GPS III launches. There are several IIR SVs that are over 20 years old and well past their service lives as well.

There’s been a hole at PRN 11 for a while that should be filled by GPS III soon.

I agree that they need to get L5 and L1C operational, but that’s an OCX issue as well.
PRN numbers aren't fixed, they are cycled. It's perfectly OK for one PRN to be free for months and months.
I'm assuming this launch will use PRN11, before PRN11 is activated for GPS III SV06 another PRN will be retired, and when the next launch (or recomissioning happens) that PRN will be used again.

Edit... It's not just ok, it's normal to always have one PRN unused. There are 32 PRN codes defined but there's a limit of 31 active GPS satellites (it's either an almanac or the ground control system limitation, I can't remember which). I don't ever recall seeing 32 active GPS PRNs.
Wasn't it that the 32nd PRN has to be used for ground support, or an Earth bound reference?

Online launchwatcher

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : Florida : 2022
« Reply #24 on: 07/12/2021 01:48 pm »
If it were solely due to replenishment, no GPS III would need to be launched to this date.
Plus they look kinda bad with Galileo operational with L5 and L1C in every satellite.

There have been a few problematic birds that were retired because of GPS III launches. There are several IIR SVs that are over 20 years old and well past their service lives as well.

There’s been a hole at PRN 11 for a while that should be filled by GPS III soon.

I agree that they need to get L5 and L1C operational, but that’s an OCX issue as well.
PRN numbers aren't fixed, they are cycled. It's perfectly OK for one PRN to be free for months and months.
I'm assuming this launch will use PRN11, before PRN11 is activated for GPS III SV06 another PRN will be retired, and when the next launch (or recomissioning happens) that PRN will be used again.

Edit... It's not just ok, it's normal to always have one PRN unused. There are 32 PRN codes defined but there's a limit of 31 active GPS satellites (it's either an almanac or the ground control system limitation, I can't remember which). I don't ever recall seeing 32 active GPS PRNs.
Wasn't it that the 32nd PRN has to be used for ground support, or an Earth bound reference?
Nope. PRNs from 1 to 63 have been defined for GPS satellite usage.

https://www.gps.gov/technical/prn-codes/L1-CA-PRN-code-assignments-2020-Oct.pdf

But since there is currently a 31 active PRN limit, PRNs 1 through 32 are used with one always inactive. In the future it is hoped up to 36 active satellites will be possible (with a 6x6 constellation layout).

Ground control segment doesn't use a PRN. PRNs are used to allow for the L1 C/A band to be shared between GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Compass, SBAS, ...
Ground control segment talks to GPS satellites via dedicated frequencies.
I found this memo from 2006 which mentions software bugs in older receivers -- PRN 32 is reported as the invalid PRN 0, which suggests something was storing it in a 5-bit field which can only fit 0..31:

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/gpsnotices/50SW_GPSW_letter.pdf

It also mentions a military "Wide-Area GPS Enhancement" system which had a 30 PRN limit.

Offline leovinus

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : Florida : 2022
« Reply #25 on: 07/12/2021 01:59 pm »
If it were solely due to replenishment, no GPS III would need to be launched to this date.
Plus they look kinda bad with Galileo operational with L5 and L1C in every satellite.

There have been a few problematic birds that were retired because of GPS III launches. There are several IIR SVs that are over 20 years old and well past their service lives as well.

There’s been a hole at PRN 11 for a while that should be filled by GPS III soon.

I agree that they need to get L5 and L1C operational, but that’s an OCX issue as well.
PRN numbers aren't fixed, they are cycled. It's perfectly OK for one PRN to be free for months and months.
I'm assuming this launch will use PRN11, before PRN11 is activated for GPS III SV06 another PRN will be retired, and when the next launch (or recomissioning happens) that PRN will be used again.

Edit... It's not just ok, it's normal to always have one PRN unused. There are 32 PRN codes defined but there's a limit of 31 active GPS satellites (it's either an almanac or the ground control system limitation, I can't remember which). I don't ever recall seeing 32 active GPS PRNs.
Wasn't it that the 32nd PRN has to be used for ground support, or an Earth bound reference?
Nope. PRNs from 1 to 63 have been defined for GPS satellite usage.

https://www.gps.gov/technical/prn-codes/L1-CA-PRN-code-assignments-2020-Oct.pdf

But since there is currently a 31 active PRN limit, PRNs 1 through 32 are used with one always inactive. In the future it is hoped up to 36 active satellites will be possible (with a 6x6 constellation layout).

Ground control segment doesn't use a PRN. PRNs are used to allow for the L1 C/A band to be shared between GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Compass, SBAS, ...
Ground control segment talks to GPS satellites via dedicated frequencies.
I found this memo from 2006 which mentions software bugs in older receivers -- PRN 32 is reported as the invalid PRN 0, which suggests something was storing it in a 5-bit field which can only fit 0..31:

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/gpsnotices/50SW_GPSW_letter.pdf

It also mentions a military "Wide-Area GPS Enhancement" system which had a 30 PRN limit.

Thanks for that memo. For some reason, that link does not work for me. However, you can also get it from the wayback machine via
https://web.archive.org/web/20210320073532/https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/gpsnotices/50SW_GPSW_letter.pdf

Also attached for simplicity. It is a nice summary of the PRN situation and design for 32 PRNs.

Anyone wants to venture a guess what the monetary value is of the one missing bit in design which would have enabled 64 PRNs in future from the start?

PS: I like the lighthearted memo footer "Master of Space"

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : Q4 2022
« Reply #26 on: 03/30/2022 03:51 am »
SFN Launch Schedule update, March 25 (one of many):
GPS III SV06 launches in 4th quarter 2022 from Cape Canaveral SFS SLC-40, with ASDS landing.
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Offline macpacheco

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : Q4 2022
« Reply #27 on: 06/06/2022 08:08 pm »
US Coast Guard GPS site shows 32 healthy PRNs at once. PRN 1 through 32.
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Offline Alexphysics

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« Last Edit: 10/28/2022 02:03 am by Alexphysics »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : Q4 2022
« Reply #29 on: 10/27/2022 08:41 pm »
https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/us-sixth-gpsiii-cape-canaveral/

Quote
October 26, 2022
US SSC delivers sixth GPS III satellite to Cape Canaveral, Florida

The GPS III SV06, called Amelia Earhart, is slated to launch in January 2023.

The US Space Force’s (USSF) sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite has been delivered to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, US.

Known as Amelia Earhart, the GPS III Space Vehicle (SV)-06 was delivered by the Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Military Communication and Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Directorate.

The shipping of Amelia Earhart from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Littleton, Colorado, to the Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida, was supported by a C-17 Globemaster III military airlift aircraft.

The aircraft was assigned under March Air Reserve Base, California-based 729th Airlift Squadron and supported the heavy lifting of SV06.

Photo caption:

Quote
The USSF and Missile Systems Center deliver a GPS III satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Credit: US Space Force/Los Angles Air Force Base.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #30 on: 11/17/2022 12:03 am »
NextSpaceFlight, updated November 14:
Launch is January 18, 2023.
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #31 on: 11/29/2022 06:51 pm »
NextSpaceFlight, updated November 29:
B1077.2
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #32 on: 12/15/2022 06:26 am »
Information confirmation:
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated December 12:
Quote
And a Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch GPS III-6 for the U.S. Space Force on mid-January.
« Last Edit: 12/15/2022 06:31 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #33 on: 12/23/2022 04:11 pm »
...
NSF Threads for GPS III SV06 : Discussion
...
I believe this link is incorrect, as it leads you to the topic named "Increasing SpaceX launch frequency." I think that maybe the topic number was added manually and ended up short by 1000.
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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #34 on: 01/03/2023 07:38 pm »
Ben Cooper (Updated January 3rd)
Launch at/around 7am EST = 12:00 UTC

Quote
A Falcon 9 from pad 40 will launch GPS III-6 for the U.S. Space Force on January 18 at 7 a.m. EST. Sunrise is 7:15 a.m.

https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html
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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #35 on: 01/13/2023 06:21 am »
B1077 was moved to SLC-40 for this mission

Quote
Entering Stage Right, a Falcon 9 booster.

http://nsf.live/spacecoast

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1613693225956696065
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Offline Ken the Bin

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #36 on: 01/13/2023 12:06 pm »
NGA notice.

Quote from: NGA
081527Z JAN 23
NAVAREA IV 50/23(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   181200Z TO 181323Z JAN, ALTERNATE
   191156Z TO 191319Z, 201152Z TO 201315Z,
   211147Z TO 211310Z, 221143Z TO 221306Z,
   231139Z TO 231302Z AND 241135Z TO 241258Z JAN
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-36.11N 080-35.28W, 28-48.00N 080-17.00W,
      28-45.00N 080-13.00W, 28-36.00N 080-23.00W,
      28-30.88N 080-33.23W.
   B. 31-50.00N 077-00.00W, 31-54.00N 077-00.00W,
      33-47.00N 075-24.00W, 34-02.00N 075-00.00W,
      33-52.00N 074-26.00W, 33-30.00N 074-29.00W,
      31-46.00N 076-57.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 241358Z JAN 23.//

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #37 on: 01/13/2023 02:01 pm »
https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1613913842773262337

Quote
Departure! ASOG droneship is outbound to support the upcoming GPS III-6 mission - NET Jan 18

nsf.live/spacecoast

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #38 on: 01/14/2023 05:27 am »
The payload fairing was moved to SLC-40 for integration with the rocket

Quote
GPSIII-SV06, encapsulated and set to launch next week on a Falcon 9.

https://twitter.com/planetdeimos/status/1614079044605153280
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Offline Ken the Bin

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Re: SpaceX F9 : GPS III SV06 : CCSFS SLC-40 : 18 January 2023
« Reply #39 on: 01/14/2023 08:08 pm »
Two NGA Space Debris notices that appear to be for this launch (the same notice for two different Navigational Areas).

Quote from: NGA
142047Z JAN 23
HYDROPAC 173/23(57,61).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN OCEAN.
SOUTH AFRICA.
DNC 01, DNC 02.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   1803Z TO 1933Z DAILY 18 THRU 24 JAN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   39-00.00S 017-00.00E, 47-00.00S 014-30.00E,
   58-00.00S 043-00.00E, 50-30.00S 046-00.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 242033Z JAN 23.
Quote from: NGA
142047Z JAN 23
HYDROLANT 123/23(57,61).
EASTERN SOUTH ATLANTIC.
SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN OCEAN.
SOUTH AFRICA.
DNC 01, DNC 02.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   1803Z TO 1933Z DAILY 18 THRU 24 JAN
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   39-00.00S 017-00.00E, 47-00.00S 014-30.00E,
   58-00.00S 043-00.00E, 50-30.00S 046-00.00E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 242033Z JAN 23.

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